Programmes

North Korea Programme: Still Nothing to Envy?

北韓行：我們仍然最幸福？

(HKU Reading Week)

14 to 19 October 2017

Introduction

Amidst the high time of political tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea seems to be ignoring critics and advancing with its own ambition. Will the boasting slogan of “Nothing to Envy” eventually prevail in a world according to Kim Jong Un?

North Korea Programme: Still Nothing to Envy? 北韓行：我們仍然最幸福？ will bring you to see the world’s most isolated country that is having a materialistic life supported by gradually permitted market activities, but at the same time the country is undergoing the toughest international sanction. “세상에 부럼 없어라” (Nothing to Envy) is a typical slogan you can see everywhere in North Korea, especially in kindergartens and schools. We will revisit Kim Jong Un’s policy of developing military and economy in parallel (並進政策) and critically assess whether it’s improving the lives of local Koreans.

Day 1: 14 October

Programme Started

Arrive at Great Wall Hotel (長城酒店) in Dandong, China (丹東市) , followed by welcome dinner at a North Korean run restaurant and free time. Dandong is a Chinese city bordering Sinuiju (新義州) , the special economic zone built by North Korea modelling on Hong Kong. You will be able to locate a hidden Korean presence in this quirky Chinese small town.

Day 2: 15 October

Dandong > Pyongyang

Train from Dandong to Pyongyang City (平壤市) : throughout the train journey you will be able to meet local Koreans, from young athletes to businessmen – a great opportunity to talk with them and get a brief idea about the world’s most isolated country.

Arrival at Pyongyang City, to be greeted by our familiar local guides

Visit Kim Il Sung Square 金日成廣場, where one of the largest military parades in the world is held

Overnight at Sosan Hotel 西山飯店

Day 3: 16 October

Pyongsong, Pyongyang

Arrive at Pyongsong City (平城市), a second tier city near Pyongyang

Visit Kim Jong Suk No.1 Middle School 金正淑第一中學 , where Language Exchange with local students will be conducted. We will also provide daily life materials to support the school and students there.

Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum 祖國解放戰爭紀念館 – learn about the North Korean version of the Korean War

Extended Ride in Pyongyang Metro 平壤地鐵, the best opportunity to mingle and mix with the local Pyongyang urban dwellers

Grand People Study House 人民大學習堂, interacting with adult English students who are from various segments of the society. We will talk to the citizens about the impact of sanctions to their lives

Exclusive visit to a local department store 本地百貨公司 , a rare and exclusive chance to witness Pyongyang’s most popular department store that is rarely attended by foreign visitors. We will learn more about how market has started to have a impact on people’s lives, and the phenomenon of the return of capitalism.

Kaeson Amusement Park 凱旋遊樂場 – have fun with the locals! We always say the Koreans here wear their most genuine smiles.

Stay at Sosan Hotel 西山飯店

Day 4: 17 October

Pyongyang, Kaesong

Private walking at Ryomyong Street 黎明大街, the newly built street under the leadership of Kim Jong Un.

Exclusive Tram Ride 獨特電車遊, a rare chance to experience common transport tools of Pyongyang citizens. Most of the trams were assembled in the former Czechoslovakia during Soviet times before 1991.

Private walking at Future Scientist Street 未來科學家街 , we will walk along the new modern street built for Pyongyang’s professors and scientists.

Lunch in the Pizza Restaurant in Pyongyang , feel the heightening influence of Westernisation in the country.

Mansudae Grand Monument 萬壽台紀念碑, visit the two high statues of the country’s two most important leaders, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il.

Juche Tower 主體思想塔 , learn about the country’s governing idea and its survival.

Children Palace 少年宮 , we will be able to see how the young kids perform and practise musical instruments and sport activities. You will be amazed by their talents!

Depart for Kaesong City 開城市

Stay overnight at Minsok Folk Hotel in Kaesong City 開城民宿, the traditional Hanok houses inherited from Koryo Dynasty, you will have a feel of living in the ancient times.

Day 5: 18 October

Kaesong, Sariwon, Pyongyang

Private Walking to Kaesong Old Town Centre 開城中心城區 , the walk in this simple and traditional city will give you a very different Korean image, one that is the exact opposite of the hustle and bustle in Pyongyang

Demilitarized Zone/Panmunjom 三八線/板門店 , the most fortified border on Earth that still sees the standoff between the two Koreas

Visit the Sariwon Co-operative Farm 沙里院農場 , and experience Rice Harvesting 稻米收割體驗 with the local farmers – a perfect chance to experience the life of North Korean, and to understand the agricultural industry there

Return to Pyongyang

Farewell dinner with our Korean guides at a duck BBQ Restaurant

Taedong River Bar 大同江酒吧 , a local bar in Pyongyang – relax and have a chit chat with our friendly Korean guides there

Stay overnight at Yanggakdo Hotel 羊角島飯店

Day 6: 19 October

Pyongyang > Dandong

Bongsu Church 鳳岫教會

Arrival at Dandong in the evening

Group Dinner

Discussion session on current issues related to North Korea, facilitated by our North Korean expert. We will reflect on the North Korean society under the leadership of Kim Jong Un (also called the Byungjin era 並進時代, the emphasis on both military advancement and economic development)

End of Programme

The accommodation of this night in Dandong is also included.

*The above itinerary is for reference only and is subject to change. Registrants will receive a full itinerary with programme details via email.

Meals in China and the DPRK as indicated on the Briefing Note (you will receive this after registration)

Two tour guides and one driver per group

One Eastern Vision tour mentor per group

All entry fees to museums

Academic materials

Our Tour Fee excludes

Extra meals or activities and souvenirs in the DPRK and China

Tips to DPRK tour guides and driver (around 200 RMB)

Travel Insurance*

Double Entry China Visa**

Transportation from Hong Kong (or your place of origin) to Dandong, China***

*An appropriate and adequate travel insurance is a condition of travelling to the DPRK.

**For some passport holders who need to acquire a visa to enter China, you are reminded to secure a proper visa for double entry, as we will go in and out of China twice. We can assist you with this.

***Our programme starts and ends at Dandong. You are free to arrange your own flights/trains to Shenyang. However, we also facilitate a separate, non-bundled Group Flight Option if you depart from Hong Kong:

Both flights are operated by China Southern Airline. Connecting bus service between Shenyang Taoxian International Airport and Vienna International Hotel and transfer from Shenyang to Dandong will also be included.

Further details will be provided in the Briefing Note (you will receive this after registration).

Tibetans believe the prayers will be blown by the wind to spread the good will in all pervading space

Programmes Tibet

Mountain of colourful prayer flags in Tibet

Programmes Tibet

Testimonial

It wasn't merely a trip but a mini course introducing the cultural, social and political issues about Tibet. From the pre-trip reading materials to the mini-lectures delivered on coach, I saw and felt the hard work and passion of EV in preparing this tour.

I guess the most important thing is to have good travel buddies who are all interested in exploring Tibet, and Eastern Vision serves as a platform for all of us to meet. Most of us signed up without knowing anyone else on the trip but it was easy to make new friends as we are all university students/ fresh grads.

Research shows that valedictorians (GPA > 3.6) could easily find high-paid jobs after graduation, but seldom would they change or impact the society. A study on other intellectuals who are eager to learn, however, shows that they often struggle in high schools, and found schooling stifling. Reasons being our school system encourages conformity and obedience. Is that the case for you? … See MoreSee Less

Wondering what happened to your class valedictorian? This is what research shows. money.us/2rhVVNm

The Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is about to open, athletes of two Koreas not only will march under the same flag at the opening ceremony, Kim Jong Un’s sister will also make her visit South Korea,, it seems that the two Koreas are slowly improving their relations. However, the United States is not very satisfied with North Korea "hijacking" the sports event, and would resume joint military exercises after the Olympics. In early March, we are organising a special tour to North Korea and examine the future of two Koreas from the perspective of North Koreans and explore the possibility of a peaceful Korean Peninsula. We will also see how much the sanctions are starting to bite.

🚶🏻‍♂️Highlights:– Stroll along Mirae Scientist Street and "Pyonghattan" area– Demilitarized Zone (North-South Korea Border)– Pyongyang metro and Soviet tram ride– Exchange with local high school students and average citizens– Local department store and cafes run by new Pyongyang entrepreneurs

We are glad to provide insights for our participants Judy and Sharon on these unique destinations. We hope to bring you to probe into these lesser-known countries, revealing the authentic culture beyond what the media depicts. … See MoreSee Less

The Korean Unification Flag will be flying again in the opening ceremony of Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, and there will even be a unified female ice hockey team formed by both Koreas. However, the South Korean society may not share the same unified opinion regarding the Koreans’ participation. And what would North Korean think about it?

With the #PyeongChangOlympics taking place in less than two weeks, both South and North Korea have been scrambling to accommodate North Korea’s sudden participation in the Games, a move that did not seem to resonate well with average South Koreans.

Amid the warming of inter-Korean ties, NK News to took the freezing streets of Seoul to ask residents where they really stand on the North’s sudden participation, rooting for a joint inter-Korean women’s ice hockey team, and having North and South Korean athletes march under a unified flag.

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Further details of the programme will be sent to your email upon registration. Our responsible tour operator TLX Travel Limited (License no.: 350373) will assist in your booking.

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Details of the programme will be sent to your email once released. Our responsible tour operator TLX Travel Limited (License no.: 350373) will assist in your booking.